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PUBLIC confidence in the Chesapeake Police Department has been shaken in the wake of a drug raid that left a police officer dead and a homeowner charged with the officer's murder.
Ever since the Jan. 17 tragedy, police and city officials have ignored the growing chorus of doubts about the actions of police in forcing their way into a Portlock home in pursuit of what they thought, apparently mistakenly, was a drug dealer.
It's understandable that police and prosecutors don't want to jeopardize the criminal case against Ryan Frederick, who is accused in the shooting death of veteran Detective Jarrod Shivers in the 900 block of Redstart Avenue. There's a court of law - judge, attorneys, jury - to sort that out.
But there's also a court of public opinion, and the city is failing in that venue. Too many questions remain. Many residents put themselves in Frederick's shoes and wonder how they might react in the same circumstances - night-time noise at the front door, a prior break-in and ready access to a gun. And they wonder what safeguards are in place against such errors.
Except for a single news conference in late January at City Hall, top city and police officials have been mostly silent. City Manager William Harrell announced an independent review of the department, but most of the information about the investigation has come out piecemeal since then. In this vacuum, rumors, suspicion and mistrust have festered.
The belief is widespread that police officers went way overboard in trying to arrest a man they believed grew and sold marijuana. Frederick had no prior criminal record in the region, only traffic offenses. After the shooting, only a small amount of pot was recovered from his home. Contributing to the climate of distrust is a leadership void in Chesapeake government.
Longtime Police Chief Richard Justice, a reclusive figure among local law-enforcement executives, is set to retire April 1. Mayor Dalton Edge has given his notice that he's not seeking re-election. And Harrell has been on the job less than a year.
The questions about the case include: Did police proceed solely on the tip of a confidential informant, or did they first make an undercover buy at Frederick's home? Is that the normal procedure?
Where, exactly, was Shivers in relation to Frederick's front door when he was shot?
How many officers attempted to execute the drug search warrant? Is that the customary number?
Frederick reportedly had a normal routine of leaving for work early in the morning; why not detain him as he was leaving?
Are there any witnesses besides Frederick and the police officers?
What steps will be taken on drug raids to lower the chances of such an awful outcome? The department has said it is reviewing the way it executes search warrants, but there are no immediate changes.
Chesapeake residents deserve some answers. City and police leaders should provide them in a way that safeguards the criminal case but also plays straight with citizens.
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Thank You Rd (who wrote the story)
I guess I will have to pay better attention to the categories. I thought I pulled the story out of local news, but, I probably got it out of most read. Anyway it was bugging me that I didn't know who wrote it. I really liked the story. Once again thank you for taking the time to answer.
And meanwhile.....
While we speculate, and the City of Chesapeake maintains its smokescreen, Ryan Frederick sits in jail because the majorly flawed system. Considering this fate could befall any one of us, it is time for the local citizens to demand his release until such time as Chesapeake can tell the truth about this debacle.
CPD Policy Needs Revamping
How is it that the Newport News Police were able to snag over 80 people in a sweep of outstanding warrants - all without even a single shot fired or anyone being injured - yet the CPD can't even handle a single warrant against someone who's "criminal" track record only went as deep as traffic violations without gunfire, horrible death of an officer, and the appearance of a coverup? Maybe the CPD should attend some of Newport News Police Departmental training.
MR MARTZ
Everything that post has in it was been previously stated in Pilot news stories. It appears all he did was condense it to make a point. I'd drawn the same opinion but I'm not an active "poster".
Contratctorva
Its an editorial. The editors wrote it.
Thank you Pilot
Another echo of comments aforementioned. Ok, now you've stepped up to the plate. Will you follow through on the swing and see how far you can hit it Pilot? Another point to think about: Is the silence a stall tactic so officials can wait until they're 'not official' for info to be released and dodge any fallout as a result of the information? Makes one wonder. Frederick deserves punishment just as much as anyone whom did not perform honorably on the side of the law and thus resulted in an un-needed death. My faith in the CPD has waned for years now. I have several friends in the department and they have told me by words and their unspoken persona that personnel in the department (however high up it goes) want their officers to have a chip on their shoulder and therefore carry on with a mob-like mentality. So far as with the handling of this case, such judgement certainly appears to maintain its accuracy. Oh, and to the poster asking if we want national TV attention, we citizens have nothing to hide!
DFWBABULL Im fishing too.....please do tell
Just what is the source of all that information categorized from 1 to 5? Except for #4. That one, I figured out. I mean if you don't mind telling me? Its getting tiring reading all these other comments who apparently aren't privy to the facts that you are. Oh, if you know anything else pertinent. I'm listening.
Wait until April 1
I think once the retirement of the "most reclusive chief" in Hampton Roads is official, the new Chief will step up and enlighten the public. At least I hope so for the men and women of the Chesapeake Police Department. Mr. Harrell, are you reading this?
Cops investigating themselves
On January 24th, 2006 Fairfax County resident, Salvatore Culosi was shot to death while standing on the sidewalk in front of his home while talking to an undercover officer. As I understand it he was shot by a Fairfax County Swat team member there to help serve an arrest warrant on him for running a small time illegal sports betting operation. The shooting apparently occurred as the Swat officer was exiting his car, and if the investigation into how the weapon was discharged can be believed (IMHO it can't) was purely accidental according to Police findings.
How a 17 year veteran officer could manage to have the safety off and his finger near the trigger while exiting his car to assist serving a warrant on an otherwise remarkably unthreatening and in all other respects respectable resident, businessman and taxpayer was never completely clear. Ultimately the officer was essentially exonerated of all but the most cursory of wrongdoing. And other than receiving a short suspension (which I understand he appealed) and being removed from the Swat roster, received no further punishment. In fact, at the conclusion of the investigation Fairfax Commonwealth's Attorney Robert F. Horan
Antidentites Please Refrain..The Libertarian Doctor
If he runs, in a city election, will get my vote. Ive never met him, but, from the comments that he has posted, & I have read, he seems very intelligent, astute, well informed, & genuinely concerned with the rights of the citizens. Furthermore, the questions he has been asking seem to be ones that could & should be addressed publicly by the various city departments without jeopardizing "the wheels of justice". This would probably minimize a lot of speculation, & passionate blog entries, with a lot of bad grammar, misspelling, by people who may or may not have bad teeth, which seems to be all we are allowed to have, at least up until this point!